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Mwd



Member Since: 12 Jan 2016
Location: Scottish Highlands
Posts: 45

United Kingdom 
Diff lock not engaging, any ideas?
I tried putting the diff lock in today and the lever doesn’t move to the left at all, so I couldn’t engage it. No problems selecting high and low range but no joy with the diff lock. The vehicle is a 110 2.2TDCi and had a new output shaft a few thousand miles ago. I don’t think I’ve tried the diff lock since the new shaft was fitted so I’m guessing that either something has seized or it wasn’t put back together properly! Is there a linkage that is likely to need lubriaction or something else obvious to check? If it’s anything bigger I’ll probably need professional help. Thanks.
Post #726689 1st Sep 2018 7:03pm
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lohr500



Member Since: 14 Sep 2014
Location: Skipton
Posts: 1315

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Santorini Black
I find on mine that if the lever isn't moved left to right fairly regularly it does feel like it has seized up.
Careful application of a bit of force seems to free it up. Then a good waggle Embarassed slackens it off completely.

Note to self. Must investigate further at some point and see if a bit of grease or oil could be applied from underneath without the need to remove half the interior!

I guess it could have been wrongly connected if the transfer box has been out, but my money would be on the linkage being stiff from lack of use.
Post #726693 1st Sep 2018 7:40pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8006

 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
it could be catching on the top of the t box where the bolt head is. Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop
Post #726694 1st Sep 2018 7:43pm
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Mwd



Member Since: 12 Jan 2016
Location: Scottish Highlands
Posts: 45

United Kingdom 
Thanks, I think this is the linkage. Looks clean but i can’t move it from underneath so I’ll see what some lubricant does tomorrow. Then I’ll need to keep using it regularly once I get it freed!

Click image to enlarge
Post #726695 1st Sep 2018 7:46pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8006

 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
yes thats it, so you can move it from below and get the diff lock to engage? Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop
Post #726699 1st Sep 2018 8:08pm
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VVS210



Member Since: 12 Nov 2016
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 953

United Kingdom 
Have you got any movement in the lever in the cabin? - my DCPU came to me with a diff lock that didn't want to engage, whenever I tried pushing the lever across it felt spongy & wanted to pop back to a central position. A bit of investigation showed that the sound proofing foam on the tunnel was getting in the way & stopping the lever travelling fully as well as pushing it back to a central position. A bit of trimming has fixed the issue.
Post #726724 2nd Sep 2018 6:53am
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Mwd



Member Since: 12 Jan 2016
Location: Scottish Highlands
Posts: 45

United Kingdom 
All sorted now. Just needed lubricating and then a fair amount of waggling back and forth. I’m surprised just how stuck it was - felt totally solid. I guess more frequent use and occasional lubrication should stop the same problem recurring.
Post #726800 2nd Sep 2018 5:20pm
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Procta



Member Since: 03 Dec 2016
Location: Sunderland
Posts: 5147

United Kingdom 
cheers for the info, my dad has the same problem, I don't even think he can even engage low ratio.
What happened with him, he Censored up with the clutch change, and cooked the clutch, so no doubt the heat will have caused something. Defender TD5 90 ---/--- Peugeot 306 HDI hatch back

Success is 90% Inspiration and 4 minutes Preparation # you can make it!
Post #726953 3rd Sep 2018 12:18pm
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lohr500



Member Since: 14 Sep 2014
Location: Skipton
Posts: 1315

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Santorini Black
Hi Procta, I would be surprised if a cream crackered clutch will have caused the high/low shift to have seized. It could well have generated some heat, but the transfer case is a fair way back from the bell housing and has the main gearbox between it and the clutch.

Not sure if the linkage is the same on our Defenders as the early Mk 1 Discos.
We bought a V8 Disco with 80k miles on it many years ago and the high low/diff lock lever was absolutely solid through lack of use.
I suspected that it had never been in low box since it left the showroom. Again some gentle wiggling with a bit of force freed it up, followed by a shift into low box and diff lock once in a while to keep the linkage moving.

Had your dad's been working OK prior to the clutch cooking?
Post #727029 3rd Sep 2018 6:43pm
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